I loved this book before I even sat down to read it. The photos are gorgeous, about evenly split between the how-to instruction and a gallery of inspiring masterworks by many artisans, the authors included.
But this is about the instruction, and this book is as good as any could be. It offers clear, well-depicted, step by step directions for metal forming, from earring sized on up to large sculptural objects. The "projects" here are purely training exercises - something I like, but that others might find indirect. Instead of making some finished thing, instruction focuses on mastering techniques on smallish practice pieces that do nothing but demonstrate the process. To my mind, this avoids the pressure of trying to create some finished work or portfolio piece using unfamiliar tools and methods. Instead, it encourages exploration and play, the activities that really develop skill. And, since there's no promise of some beautiful finished work at the end, there's no promise to break when a beginner needs more practice. At the end of each exercise, the authors suggest applications and variations, but never force the novice to do a perfect job the first time out.
Even a book this thick and dense can't cover everything. Chasing and repousee techniques get some mention, but never become part of the syllabus. Foldforming appears, but with nowhere near the attention you see in the book specific to the topic. And raising, though presented well enough, deserves volumes of its own. It probably helps a reader to have at least a little familiarity with some of the basics, but students with a little background will get a lot out of this.
In fact, readers might get a good bit more than they came for. The authors start gently, showing how to use a simple 2x4 in a vise as a tool to help shape metal. By degrees, this toolsmithing theme develops. Readers are invited to make their own stakes from hardwood - even just a shaped notch in a piece of maple, working up to more complex shapes for specific tasks. Then, they show a hammer's handle modified to suit the individual's hand or work habit, and hammer-heads ground and polished to specific purposes. They encourage readers to create their own mallets from plastic, and work their way up to light blacksmithing of custom hammer heads and anticlastic stakes. Toolsmithing appears in many metalwork books, but seems to jump in at the deep end. The gradual approach offered here gives readers many more degrees of involvement in making and adapting tools, an approach that I find far more inviting.
The final test of any how-to book comes down to one question: Could you go to the bench right now, reasonably confident in what you've learned? In this case, the answer is a loud and eager "Yes." I can't wait to get started!
-- wiredweird
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the authors
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
This item: Creative Metal Forming
$35.95
Only 6 left in stock - order soon.
+
+
$25.95
Only 6 left in stock - order soon.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2015
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2017
- Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2022
- Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
-
- Western GalReviewed in Canada on January 30, 2019
Comprehenive, highly readable, great guide
-
-
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2019
calming influence of metal forming
